"Do not worry, little one… Follow your heart, follow your instincts, and if need be, I shall guide you, if it permits…" Caldia's voice softened to a whisper, her gaze fixed on the black orb that had swelled to the size of the altar. The gravity of the moment was palpable, a heavy silence draping over us.

"Though it's still better if you have some prior knowledge, I guess," Caldia mused to herself, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "In normal circumstances, the awakening ceremony is divided into three parts: aptitude, rank, and blessing. I'm sure you've heard of them," she said, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, I've read about them somewhat," I nodded. I had spent the past two weeks pouring over books, notes, ancient texts, and scrolls, trying to grasp the intricacies of mana and the awakening ceremony.

"But now that the crystal orb has appeared, you will undergo a different kind of awakening, or rather, it will take a different route…" Caldia paused, her next words carrying significant weight. Her eyes, usually sharp and discerning, softened as she looked at me, conveying both a warning and a promise.

"Instead of the usual three phases of awakening, you will undergo four phases, even excluding the final one.

First is the vision, where you face your inner self, confronting past traumas or things you keep running away from. It could be something trivial, like not liking vegetables, to something as intense as seeking revenge.

The second phase is the challenge. Here, you will face illusions that test your determination, willpower, and purpose.

The third phase is the blessing. If you're lucky, you might receive one. Each blessing is different, so I can't tell you much about it.

The fourth phase is integration. In this phase, you will fuse the blessings and powers you receive throughout the trial, or rather, the awakening.

The fifth phase is rank measurement, but you don't need to worry about that yet," she concluded.

"Now place your hand on the orb." She instructed, her voice steady and calm, yet the gravity of the moment was palpable.

The Vision

Caldia gestured for me to approach the orb. "Place your hand on the orb and close your eyes. The Vision will reveal itself to you."

I hesitated for a moment, then reached out with my small hand, placing it on the cool surface of the orb. Instantly, a surge of power coursed through my body, and my vision went white.

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When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a vast, empty space, surrounded by swirling colors and lights. It was as if I had been transported to another realm, a place where reality and imagination blurred together.

According to Caldia, in this phase, I was meant to confront my inner self, to see the potential within me. The colors around me coalesced into shapes and forms—memories, dreams, and fears.

I saw some of my memories, childhood memories, vague moments that seem to induce joy and sorrow, and a shadowy figure that seemed to represent my doubts and insecurities. They felt strange, yet familiar.

Suddenly, I was standing in a familiar room—it was my room. There I was, sitting on a chair before three black shadows kneeling. Slowly, the shadows became clear. I saw their faces: two women with pale white skin, silver hair, and red ruby eyes, almost identical except one looked a few years younger than the other, both gorgeous in their own regard, the older sibling would surpass Caldia in pure looks. The third was a man with tan skin, brown eyes, and brown hair, nothing that would make him stand out.

They were saying something, kneeling, keeping their heads down as if i was #@$@&*!, but I couldn't hear a thing. They were speaking, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn't hear it. Suddenly, the man locked eyes with me and smiled.

The scene shifted, and I was in the mansion, around a year old, sitting by the fireplace in the room, listening to my mother's stories, surrounded by four children. A boy and three girls. I guessed the three girls were my sisters.

My eldest sister, Luna, had gray hair like Mother but sapphire eyes, while my second sister, Lilithra, and third sister, Elara, both had violet hair and dark violet eyes, the latter a few years younger than the former.

But the boy was a mystery. He had neither the features of Mother nor my sisters; he was different. I couldn't see him clearly, but I sensed he was someone important and the oldest in the room after Mother, almost 18 if I had to guess. The warmth of the fire and the love in their voices enveloped me, making me feel safe and cherished.

But then, the vision darkened. The laughter turned to cries, and the warmth of the fire was replaced by an oppressive heat.

The scene shifted, I saw myself standing in front of a giant tree.

There was a woman with silver hair and diamond eyes identical to mine, sitting on one of the roots of the tree, her look was breathtaking, and I was in her embrace as an infant, sleeping peacefully.

Seeing her made my heart feel heavy for some reason. I was sure this was the first time I was seeing her but she…

She looked at me with eyes full of entangled emotions: love, guilt, unwillingness. She looked up. There I saw Mother, the Duchess.

She looked the same as she was in the previous vision: gray hair and charcoal black eyes, with a longsword strapped on her waist.

They spoke, but again, I couldn't hear a thing. But I could see the expressions on their faces, both colored in love and guilt. After a few verbal exchanges, the Duchess took the infant, and the woman vanished, leaving no trace behind.

The colors blended again, and now I was in my room alone. Slowly, the door opened, and a younger version of me entered. Our eyes locked.

"Follow me," he said, looking at me.

I was startled. I looked around; there was nobody in the room except me.

"Are you talking to me?" I said, pointing a finger at myself.

"I am. Follow me."